By Nicholas Huenefeld

Special to the Sentinel-Tribune

MILLBURY — Kylee Pietrzak’s grand slam highlighted an eight-run fourth inning for the Lake softball team in a 12-2 victory in six at home over Danbury on Thursday.

Pietrzak, the team’s starting backstop, delivered a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence to give the Flyers an 8-2 lead and break open a close game. Shortstop Diem Isbell, who had a triple to start the rally, delivered a two-run double to end the rally later in the frame for a nine-run margin.

“It felt great,” Pietrzak said. “I’ve been slow hitting, and I’m glad we’re getting back into it. We definitely needed this win to get us going.”

After Lake allowed an unearned run in the first inning, the team’s offense helped out starting pitcher Kali Bedford with a three-run rally in the second inning, highlighted by a line drive two-run single to right from Sophie Gruetter and an RBI single from Lucy Boos.

“I think their pitcher made some mistakes that we capitalized on,” Lake head coach Dave Rymers said. “We found a way to score some baserunners. Over the course of the year, we’ve had some runners on and missed opportunities, so it was good to see us capitalize with runners in scoring position.”

Isbell, who finished 2-for-3 with two runs, one walk and three runs knocked in from the leadoff spot, finished off Danbury with a walk-off sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Isbell is hitting .538 over 17 plate appearances with five extra base hits to start the season.

“I’ve told her for three years that I’m so glad she’s fast,” Rymers said of Isbell. “When she gets on base, if she can find a way on, and she does it regularly, it provides a spark and gives us a chance to score some runs early.”

Bedford went the distance for Lake, improving to 2-2 on the season after allowing just five hits and one walk while striking out five.

“Kali’s going to give us that every game,” Rymers said. “She’s going to pound the zone. She’s going to make it tough on hitters. We just have to be able to score a couple runs for her and play some good defense.”

After producing just two baserunners in a 3-1 loss at Port Clinton on Tuesday, Lake (2-2) got multi-hit efforts from Isbell, Gruetter, Pietrzak and Alivia King. Eight of the team’s nine batters in the starting lineup scored at least one run, and the Flyers produced five walks as a team.

“Overall, I saw a bounce back effort from where we were in Port Clinton,” Rymers said. “I think they responded very well today.”

Ellie Fish went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Danbury.

The Flyers will be back in action at Northwood on Saturday in the Battle of Lemoyne Road. The doubleheader is slated to begin at 11 a.m.